Tomorrow I start my fourth round of chemo after that I'll have 8 more to go. This is always one of my hardest days because I am not looking forward to being sick and in bed for four or five days following treatment. And of course I usually start taking it all out on my family to which I've already asked forgiveness for this morning. Suffering in any form is always hard. Whether its physical, emotional, financial, or children. We will all go through periods of this in our life. Its so hard to get through these times and my heart goes out to you if you are in a time of suffering right now. This is what my daily devotional said today:Be prepared to suffer for Me, in my Name. All suffering has meaning in my kingdom. Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust in me. Bearing your circumstances bravely-even thanking me for them-is one of the highest forms of praise. This sacrifice of thanksgiving rings golden-toned bells of Joy throughout the heavenly realms. On earth also, your patient suffering sends out ripples of good tidings in ever-widening circles. when suffering strikes remember that I am sovereign and that I can bring good out of everything. Accept adversity in My Name, offering it up to me for my purposes. Thus, your suffering gains meaning and draws you closer to me. Joy emerges from the ashes of adversity through your trust and thankfulness. Trust me and relax in my everlasting love.
Please pray for me and my family this week. We love you James 1: 2-4
Hey Bran...you have been heavy in my heart and prayers! As has been, 10 and 2 are my prayer times for you...as well as whenever you run across my mind which has been often...I love you! -- ♥Natalie
ReplyDeleteI get a Streams in the Desert Devotional and this one hit me particulary strong and have been meaning to share it with you:
January, 13
God Has Chosen Me
"I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction" (Isa. 48:10).
Does not the Word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame? Yes, is it not an asbestos armor, against which the heat has no power? Let the affliction come--God has chosen me. Poverty, thou mayest stride in at my door; but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me. Sickness, thou mayest intrude; but I have a balsam ready--God has chosen me. Whatever befall me in this vale of tears, I know that He has chosen me.
Fear not, Christian; Jesus is with thee. In all thy fiery trials, His presence is both thy comfort and safety. He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own. "Fear not, for I am with thee," is His sure word of promise to His chosen ones in "the furnace of affliction." --C. H. Spurgeon
Pain's furnace heat within me quivers, God's breath upon the flame doth blow; And all my heart in anguish shivers And trembles at the fiery glow; And yet I whisper, "As God will!" And in the hottest fire hold still.
He comes and lays my heart, all heated, On the hard anvil, minded so Into His own fair shape to beat it With His great hammer, blow on blow; And yet I whisper, "As God will!" And at His heaviest blows hold still.
He takes my softened heart and beats it; The sparks fly off at every blow; He turns it o'er and o'er and heats it, And lets it cool, and makes it glow; And yet I whisper, "As God will!" And in His mighty hand hold still.
Why should I murmur? for the sorrow Thus only longer-lived would be; The end may come, and will tomorrow, When God has done His work in me; So I say trusting, "As God will!" And, trusting to the end, hold still. --Julius Sturm
The burden of suffering seems a tombstone hung about our necks, while in reality it is only the weight which is necessary to keep down the diver while he is hunting for pearls. --Richter
Now "fight like a girl" GOD's GIRL!!!!!!!!!!♥
BTW, I really love the picture of Lexi amoung the Lazy Susan's!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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